February15, 2011

In response to the recent uprising in Iran, Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) released the following statement:

The aftershocks of the Egyptian revolution are being felt throughout the Middle East. The hunger for freedom has gone viral and reenergized the movement for freedom in Iran. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Iran to protest their oppressive government. Ironically, in recent weeks the Iranian government had falsely claimed to celebrate the revolution in Egypt. Today, they are resisting change in their own country through violently beating and arresting peaceful protestors. One nonviolent protestor was even shot to death."

Members of the government of Iran publicly called for the execution of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi for stirring up these protests. This rhetoric is deplorable and must not be tolerated by the international community. The people of Iran deserve the same chance as Egypt to seek freedom from their tyrannical regime.

Congressman Poe serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Victims Rights caucus. For more information on Congressman Poe, please visit his website: http://poe.house.gov.